Carmel IN vs Murrieta CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Murrieta, CA
California · Population: 84,304
- Median HH Income$158,461
- Median Home Price$690,322
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+69.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Carmel +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Murrieta
8.1%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 84,304 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 46.0 | Carmel + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 77.5% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 3.7% | 0.7% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 8.1% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 10.1% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Murrieta
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Murrieta
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Murrieta
69.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 7.3% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 69.6% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $690,322 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 53.1% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Murrieta
10.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Murrieta
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Murrieta
7.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Murrieta
10.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 33.4% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.0% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.0% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 7.5% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.0% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while carmel offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,592. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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